I’ve been sporadically reading A Sacred Primer, a book about sacred time and prayer, because I don’t really have enough of either in my life. I have lots of amulets and charms and relics, beautiful statues of Buddha and Kuan Yin and various boddhisattvas that I love, but I lack spiritual discipline. Not that I will go back to spending Sunday mornings in church I no longer believe in, but I know I’m missing some component that would give me courage or calm or depth. In my case, I don’t think that will come from thinking happy thoughts or reading Eat, Pray, Love or getting an email a day from Daily Om. All of that might help put me in a receptive state of mind, but too often it seems a substitute, allowing me to skate along the surface of a deeper spiritual pool. Getting my feet wet but never going under. I know what I need–daily meditation, silence and a willingness to be sad or scared or lost. But I avoid the hard work. Am I the only person who has a lazy third eye? What helps you cultivate a meaningful soul-full practice without it becoming the spiritual equivalent of counting points in Weight Watchers?

4 Responses to “Shaking Up My Chrakras”

Alright, I am the only woman I know that couldn't get pass the first ten pages of Eat, Pray, Love. I tried and failed. Three times and out. Like you there is no force in this planet that would make me go to a Church except to hear the monks sing, and not many of those either around here for me to indulge.

My routine? Before going to sleep I always read the Tao Te Ching or The Bardo Thödol even if only for a few minutes. Started a long time ago when my mind would refused to go to sleep and my body desperately needed to. Now I get either depending on my mood and I find some space where I can touch what I consider my spiritual self for a moment. I wish I could do more than that but for right now at least this seems to work to keep me semi balanced during this "unhealthy" time of my life.

I wish I knew how, because I know that is the "what" I need. I was just thinking about it today, in fact. I have found a church I like, but lately it's just not "spiritual" enough, and at times it feels too much like a social club. I always tell myself I need to meditate or pray regularly, get centered, but I am so lazy, and so easily distracted by the latest shining object that grabs my attention.

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It's not on a map. There's no zip code, area code, dress code. There's a honky tonk just down the road, the moon is always full, maybe there's a pecan tree in the backyard and an old red truck in the driveway, the houses are faded aqua and neon pink, Frida Kahlo is the patron saint, and I'd live here full-time if I could...this is my ode to inspiration.

Founder and former Publisher of Skirt! Magazine. Writer, editor, blue Kentucky girl exiled in South Carolina, country mouse longing for a penthouse, sometime recluse, sometime party girl.

The things that inspire me to turn off tv and turn on imagination, to get off my couch and get creative, plus bits and pieces on keeping a journal, the writing craft, collagery, photography and assorted other arty alchemy.